Liquid carbonating device



Oct. 5, 1943. owL rr 2,331,248

LIQUID CARBONATING DEVICE Filed July 28, 1941 3 {Sheets-Sheet l JV NV7EIiTOR5 Oct. 5, 1943. F. M. TOWLE= ETAL 2531,248

LIQUID CARBONA'IING DEVICE Filed Jul 28, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 2 155" 5 "in; q

41 g 7 I K Oct. 5, 1943. ow L 2,331,248

LIQUID CARBONATING DEVICE Filed July 28. 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 77 ImTrmT IIH]J1]1H 47 a 57 9 a 78 77 29 e7 as M 4! NVENTORS I I ;.'mediate use from-(the water supply line; a

Another objeot of the' invention is toprovide a fluid outlet' line from; the. carbonating' chamber and to convey the CO: gas-intmthe carbonating chamber through; the ifluid outletline. 1:

ing device.

Patented 0a. 5, 1943 men: iinommenmcn f vFrank' Ni TowlaLos Altos, and Edward F. j

. v j m e A i i i ApplicationJuly'28, le irlse'r iamv 404,406 t V min. (01.151575) q This invention firelates to ai=new '1 and improved fluid carbonating device and has particular reierence to an especially constructed)! device I for instantly carboriating water andrtoa method of controlling the same in ;a beverage dispensing system."

An object oflthe present invention is'to provide faminiprovedrdeviceT for carbonati-ng liquid with- :out' the;'-u'seof,jstorage. tanks", equalizing containers or containers the liquid of my description for holding Another object of the invention is to instant 1y carbonate theliquid automatically when the zliquid is drawn for, immediate .use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatically controlled water "regulating :valvefor use in connection with'afCoz gas supply tank and a water fsupply fline and means wherebylthe water ,is; carbonated within the bodyof; the valve when. water-is 'drawnvfor im-' Another object 'of jthe inventionlis to, automat- .ioally operatethe water-regulatingvalve by the pressure from the source :bonates the fluid,

f as s pply-that cargAnother-objectof the :i ventionflisto provide 'a carbonating chamber\withinqthe'pbody of the v valve and to convey; liquid and gas in directions in'to said chamberu Another. object of g the. inventiorrr: is toprovide a fluid retarding element in; the 'outlet line: for

i I ;producing.in;said line a'backpressure.

I Another objec't of ,the'invention is to usethe fluid carbonating device .in a beverage dispens- .ing :system having a supply of carbonated beW erage.*such as beerand aCO z gas supply tank .for

maintaininggaseousfpressureon the carbonated ;b'evera-ge and to provide 7 automatic controllin means wherebytheon'e .COz gas suppl'ytank will maintain the gaseous'press'ure' on thecarbonated beverage andcalso operate the fluidf carbonat- "I'he invention further; CbfliSlStSfli-Il the particu lar combination? construction" and association of the difierent parts," seen as described in the following specification and possesses various other obiectsand features or advantage, some-or form .of 'f the invention that is illustrated" inflthe Y drawings accompanyng and 'formingpart o t-the different thefCQz as inlet; pipe on 1mg 1 -1 crime. 2

which, with the foregoing-will be made manifest a in the followin'gdescription!ofwzthe preferred valve i'nits open position.

.Itis to be understood'thatitjis not=intended v to llimit the inventiontonthe embodiment shown by said drawings and description,as-variationsl can .be adaptedwithin the fundamental prin ple of the invention as set forth -in .the claim. f i

In the accompanying drawings:'-

controlling the invention.

Fig. 2. is a vertcal central longitudinalisectional. view. of the water: regulating. control .valve informing theQmain. body of the: carbonatin'g device, showing portions. obliquidand gas inlet and. outlet pipes' that are connected thereto, also, showing .the their normal positions.

yalve part Fig.3 is a. vertical central longitudinalwsec f tional fragmentary View o t-"the outer endflportion of the carlionatedliquid outlet line. showing the liquid retarding elementandalsojthe method Y in whichfthe C0 2v gas inlet line is" connected into the liquid outlet line,

5s vert c 7 ti onal fragmentary view oi the main body similar 'o Fig. l except showing the'water inlet g 5 isa horizontal is ectional:

throu h pfh liquid' retarding member on-line th carbonated liquid loutletipip i and Fig.f8 is a vertical'central longitudin eimmune of a modified iorni of I the device and p is similar tothat shown in Fig. 2, ,and illustrates how a "mechanical means canbe providedfor j 1 v automatically operating the water regulating valve -f I Fig. 9 is a horizontalf'section wltakeri on Referring in detaiftdthef drawingsahd difierent parts thereof. wherein "iorthe' purpose a of illustration, like reference numeralsde's'ignate' like parts" throughout" the; ,va'rio'us'f'viw numeral" 1 5 designates the-body of'the' device central 'itngitudii a'i-sewhich is formed with a liquid carbonating chamber ll and provided with a removable cover l8 that is secured to the upper enlarged portion l of the body by suitable cap screws l9 as shown in Fig. 2. The numeral 20 designates the liquid inlet that is preferably a suitable pipe threadedly secured into the lower portion of the body l5 and positioned underneath the carbonating chamber ll. The numeral 2| designates the liquid dis pensing outlet pipe threadedly secured into the body I 5 and leading from the carbonating chamher i A suitable valve is provided for admitting liquid into the carbonating chamber. This valve can be of the diaphragm type or can be a positive mechanically controlled valve. In Fig. 2 there is shown, a diaphragm 22 interposed between the cover l8 and the top end portion 1-6, of the body, said cover and body being recessed as at 23. and 24, respectively, to accommodate the operating movement of the diaphragm. The body I! is further recessed as at 25, formed hollow as at 26 and internally threaded as at 21. The diaphragm is provided with a reinforcing disk 28 that carries In Fig. 1 there is illustrated a general assembly view of a beverage and water dispensing system involving the invention. The'numeral 4G designates a conventional tank of CO2 gas and is provided with a valve 41 and a pressure gauge 48. The numeral 49 designates a pressure regulator positioned in the gas line between the CO2 gas tank and the liquid carbonating device, and numerals 50, 5], 52, 53, 54, 55, .56, 51, .58 and 59 designate suitable pipes forming said line, numerals G0 and GI designating suitable elbows for making the proper connections. A standard shut-off valve 65 is located in the gas line between a valve push rod 29 which projects through the center of the diaphragm and is peened thereto as shown in Fig. 2. A cup shaped member 30, having a hole 3| in the bottom 32 thereof. is threaded into the body 15 and supports a coiled spring 33 which is compressed between said bottom and the reinforcin disk 28 of the diaphragm, resiliently holding the diaphragm in its normal position. Suitable packing means 34 is provided for packing he valve push rod 2.! and a packing land 35 is threadedlv mounted into the body 15 for .adjust in the packing.

The preferred construction for a m t qu into the chamber i1 is shown as comprising a bushing '36 extending tightly into and througlfthe opening formed in the bottom of said chamber, and a sealing washer 3818 provided and is resiliently held against the bottom of the bushin completely .closing the opening 3.1 therein as shown in Fig. 2. The bushing is formed with an annular shoulder portion .39 that fits against the outer surface of the bottom of the chamber 17. The sealing washer 38 is fixed .to a resiliently .controlled plunger by a suitable screw. 4!, said plunger being slidablv mounted into a countera bored cap 42 that is threadedly secured into the bottom portion 43 .of the body 15. The plun er All is also counter-bored to accommodate .a coiled spring 44 which is mounted into the cap 42, servin to resiliently hold the washer 33 against the bottom .end of the bushing 35. The numeral 45 designates .a suitable .gasketinterposed between the cap 42 and the bottom end of the body 15.

From the foregoing description taken; in eonunction with .the drawings it .will readily .be seen that when the push rodlilis longitudinally moved against .the sealing washer 33 the plunger All will be caused to rocede and an opening will be provided for liquid to how from the inlet 20 into the .carbol-iating chamber 11. The movement is preferably imparted to the push rod 28 in synchronism with the opening of a gas valve for conveying gas into the vcarbonating chamber, thus dispensing gas and liquid into the carbonating chamber simultaneously. The movement of the push rod 35 can be accomplishedeither by providing means for applying the COz ,gas pressure aga-instjhe diaphragm 2-2 when the ,gas valve is opened or by a positive mechanical means operated-in connection with the operating of the gas valve handle.

the gas :tank 46 and the pressure regulator 49 for enabling the gas pressure to be closed with respect to said regulator, when it is necessary to adjust or service the same, without interfering with the gas flow in the beverage system. The numeral designates the valve that controls the entire carbonating operation. This valve can be an ordinary hand valve, a foot controlled valve or any other suitable valve arranged in any. suitable location and positioned in any suitable manner that will best serve the purpose of the invention.

When the valve 66 is opened the gaseous pressure from thetank 46 will be applied against the diaphragm 22 and will force the push rod 29 downwardly causing'the sealing washer 38 to be moved oif of its seat as shown in Fig. 4 and thus providing an :opening for the liquid to flow from the inlet 23 into the carbonating chamber l1. When the valve 55 is opened the gas from the tank 8 will also'pass into the gas inlet pipe 8! and will enter the carbonating chamber 11 simultaneously with the liquid and willbe forced against the liquid. It will be noted that the flow of liquid and gas are'in opposite directions and are torced against each other in'the carbonating chamber 11. It will also be noted that the gas inlet pipe '51 leads into the carbonating chamber ll through the outlet pipe 2.! and is welded thereto as at 161. This construction and arrangement increases theefficiency of the carbonation and is one 0! the features of the invention.

In order to more perfectly complete the car'- bonation of theflul'd it isnecssary to provide means tor enabling a back pressure tobe produced in the fluid outlet line. A liquid retarding element 68 is therefore provided at the end portion of the liquid outlet line as shown in Fig.3. This element is composed of suitable cloth or other fibrous material or can be a fine screen or can be any suitable iorm of construction provided into or mounted onto the outlet line. The'end por- .tion of the outlet line 21 is preferably threaded as shown at 8.9 and a collar 10 is threadedly secured thereon. The collar!!! is formed with a female threaded portion! I, and a threaded male member 72 having 'an opening 13 therein is threadedly mounted into thecollar 10, the liquid retarding element .68 being interposed between the members as shown in Fig. 3. A'suitable washer M can be provided :desired. This construction enables the liquid retarding element 58 to be changediand also enables a diflerentnumber lot the retarding elements to be used.

Additionahmeans is provided for controlling t e back p essure .theiouidet. dirietfl and consists inproviding a ball-4 05 into the outlet'npening 13,, said openi iormi-nga shoulder :as shown at MS. The hall is resiliently held against said shoulder by a. coiled spring :liil that is mounted into the ontlet'opening 18' and applied against said ball and .adjustably held athereagainst 'by a .cally out of the opening I03.

' .of-the cover I8.

to the' push rod 29.

1333. and at will automatically return the parts, totheir'normal'positions. I

plain water and numeral hollow member W2 thatis threadedly secured to' the member 12 as shown in Fig. 3., A set screw H14 holds the memberlll'lin a fixed position.

The back pressure in the outlet line j=-2l can thus be adjusted to suit theexact condition re- I quired. For example, with 30 pounds water pres- I sure flowing into the carbonatingjchamber ll; the

spring tension on the ballwill be adjusted above 30 pounds'pressure. The gas pipes 51, and 59 that convey the gas pressure to the 'topof the diaphragm 22 are of a larger size thanthe gas pipe 61 leading to Y the carbonating chamber. -When the ball pressure control means is used it is desirable to remove the packing. and the gland I '35 to admit pressure into the chamber 26 and underneath the diaphragm. It will thusbe seen pressure will first be exerted against top of diaphragm, opening Water valve 37; and allowing Water to flow through to ball I 05.

phragm, the water pressure acting against the bottom of the diaphragm will closest/he water valve. Then the gas pressure, which is around 60 poundsper square inch, being added. to water s will produce a pressure sufiicient to'overcome' spring tension ,againstthe ball I05 and the care b'onated water will intermittently flow automati- In Fig. 3 there is illustrated a modifiedformbi flow of liquid and COzg asand isthe equivalent of the valve shown in Fig. 2 but is included in the application'to illustrate thata mechanical means ignates a containerof carbonated beverage, "such that when the valve 66 is opened'thegas'line leading to the diaphragm being larger than the .gas line leading to the carbonating chamber the Then the gas pressure becoming equalized on bothsides of diathe valve that can be used for: controlling the' w can be provided foroperating the watervalvein synchronism withthe gas valve instead of oper ating the valves in synchronism with the use of the gaseous pressure from the tank 48.

gear wheel 75 on the "valve stem 16 of the gas valve 66 and is adapted to engage with a pinion 11 that is revolubly mounted in thetop portion The pinion H is formed with a rectangular shank 78 that is keyed into a threaded stud. The gear wheel 15 is fixedto. "the valve stern l6 by a set screw 8!." When the valve stem I6 is turned to open the gasvalve, the gear '55 I is will revolve the pinion 11 which will revolve the threaded stud. 19 causing said stud to'be moved against the push rod gathusopening' the water Valve at'38fin exactly thesame manner as'vvhen the gaseous pressure from the tank 46 is applied against the diaphragm 22 that imparts movement Whenth'e valve stem 16 is turned to close the gas valve theicoiled springs The carbonating device s communication with awater line that preferably conveys water at normal city pressures. The numeral 8 2 in Fig.

l designates a water pipe leading from the main source ofsupply andthe numerals 83 B l .tfiand -86 designate an elbow, another pipe,.a" cooling coil and a pipe T, respectively. The numeral "81 designates a valve thatis provided for drawing 81 an outlet pipe that leads therefrom. 1 j- I 7 In Fig. '1 there is further illustrated a beverage dispensing system in which there isvused a tank of CO2 gas and shows the liquid carbonating de- The mechanical means simply consists in providing a valve i 99 andflllll designate thecooling coils andfthe' v faucet,'respectively, that are'associated with the 1 10' the foregoing description and" the illustration shown in Eig. '1 that the one tank of COz gas ated, the method-in which .the'liqu idfand gas is designate suitable gas pipes, numerals'M and B5 designate elbows, and numerals 96, 91 and 98; designate a' pressure regulator, a pressure guage and a shutoff valve, respectively. The numerals containerof beverage 88 'It will be noted' fronij accommodates both the fluid carbonating device and the container of carbonated beverageland 1 that the gaseous pressures on each can be varied; x

and maintained separately.-

mannerin which the valve elements are opera conveyedagainst each other in thecarbonating;

chamber ,-together with conveying the CO2 'gas through f the carbonated liquid outlet line and" providing-means for producing a back pressure 7 in said line causestheliquidt'o become instantly. l carbonated and readyforimme'diate use} This I s method not only carbonatesthe liquid in an im-y proved manner by more completely impregnating the CO2 gas in the fluid and eliminatingthenecessity of using storage" tanks and equalizing "containers but also provides a superior product I that is not subject to any losses due to the fact that the liquid is instantly carbonated andused immediately.-

Having. thus illustrated and described a certain form of'construction and arrangement "of" parts 1: pertaining to-the inventiomitis' to be understood j l that the parts forming the invention can be inade I V in any su'itable size and shape and ofany suitable material and combined andarranged in any suit-y able manner into which the device can be made; l

and it is desired to include in this applicationfor I Letters Patent of the United States ofAmerica,

- the fundamental principle of the invention asset "the surfaces of the two pipesinits travel through any and allpatentable novelty that exists, inpthe description disclosedfland all that comes within forth in the claim-hereinafter mentioned.

What is claimed is: A liquid carbonatingdevice for use in combination with asupply'of liquid'under pressureand a tank -of CO2 gas, comprising a housing form' ing a reduced carbonating chamber, an inlet for I admitting liquid therein, .agasrinlet pipeposi tioned oppositely opposed said liquid inlet forcon' i outer end of the outletline. the CO gas inlet 'pipef' i f. extending into the carbonatingchamber through a portion of said elongated outlet line whereby the carbonated liquid reaches ahigher stateof carbonation as it passes aroundand in between the outlet line. r s i FRANK'N; TOWLE;

EDWARD F. GAMBLE. I

vice located in the system. The numeral Hides- The unique improved features of construction consisting in the providing the iluid'carbonatihgi 7 chamber directly in the body or the valve, the; 

